LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well, not since a shocking nighttime assault by unidentified men killed his partner, Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty - until he meets his new partner. Maggie is not doing so well, either. The German shepherd survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing explosives before she lost her handler to an IED and sniper attack, and her PTSD is as bad as Scott’s. They are each other’s last chance.

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Publisher's Summary

Audie Award Finalist, Thriller/Suspense, 2014

For 25 years, Robert Crais has written extraordinary novels of crime and suspense. He is "a master of crime fiction" (Associated Press); "his novels get better with every new book" (Portland Oregonian); "Crais is hands-down the world’s greatest crime writer" (The Huffington Post).

But in Suspect, he may have written his most remarkable novel of all.

LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well, not since a shocking nighttime assault by unidentified men killed his partner, Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty - until he meets his new partner.

Maggie is not doing so well, either. The German shepherd survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing explosives before she lost her handler to an IED and sniper attack, and her PTSD is as bad as Scott’s.

They are each other’s last chance. He was a young cop on the rise; she was bred to guard and protect. Now they are shunned and shunted to the side. They are suspect. And together they will set out to investigate the one case that no one wants them to touch: the identity of the men who murdered Stephanie.

Nine months and sixteen days later, they remained free. They were still out there.

What they begin to find is nothing like what Scott has been told, and where it will lead them will take them both through the darkest moments of their own personal hells. Whether they will make it out again, no one can say.

Thrilling, emotional, intense, with some of the best characters and well-crafted writing in all of crime fiction, Suspect is further proof that "Crais just keeps getting better" (Publishers Weekly).

When the prologue makes me hold my breath, and the first chapter keeps me on the edge of my seat, I know I can expect a well thought out thriller. Great narrator too!

Crais introduces us to a new hero in this book-a very likable 32 year old LAPD policeman, He and his partner, Stephanie, stumble upon a car accident and violent altercation on a quiet street. In trying to intervene Stephanie is killed, and Scott is severely wounded.

Scott eventually gets a new partner- a four legged one. It's hard to make a dog one of the central characters in any book, but Crais does it beautifully. The dog, Maggie, and Scott become a K9 team. Both horribly wounded in the line of duty, they are both written off as "damaged goods" - an evaluation that Scott and Maggie prove to be wrong as they depend upon each other in the search for those who killed Stephanie.

I learned a lot from this book about the care, concern, and respect for K9 dogs by fellow officers--and a lot about the training and close bonds that are formed. They are amazing animals.

Suspense, passion, healing. Crais puts us in the mind of a remarkable K-9 dog with realism and passion. He makes the training, care and relationship of the man and dog so interesting I could not stop listening. And he introduces us to a faction of police work and warfare we've never experienced before in this genre.

In most police novels the hero never suffers from post traumatic stress disorder after being shot and/or seeing his partner shot or killed. In fact, I can't remember having ever read of this in fiction. In real life it happens to most officers involved in violence that results in tragedy. Crais masterfully takes us through the process of suffering and healing in an entertaining manner.

He also gives us a heck of a good mystery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Suspect?

The opening two chapters set the stage for the whole book.

What does MacLeod Andrews bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He did a great job on this one. For example, a k9 officer must use a commanding, alpha voice when giving orders to the animal. But he also has to baby talk his dog to build trust and relationship. Andrews was great in a difficult contrast...

I downloaded the preview chapter when audible was giving us the first 2 chapters, after I listened to them, I pre-ordered "Suspect." This is absolutly a great story!!! loved it! Different kind of story than the normal Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series, but great in it's own right!

Robert Crais is considered a master crime writer. This book is different from his series with Elvis and Joe. Maggie a Marine bomb dog is wounded and handler was killed. She is being evaluated as an LAPD dog. Officer James was also wounded and partner killed and is fighting to stay on the police force and is assigned to Maggie. They heal together and try to solve the murder of his partner. Lots of suspense, action, and some humor. Crais also provide a great deal of information about military and police dogs. The story is told from both the view point of the police officer and the Maggie the dog. Hope this becomes a series. It was a who done it that leaves one feeling good. Well worth the credits. Macleod Andrews did a good job narrating the story.

Master Crais is at his very best on this one. My all time favorite, the watchman is being chased by this one and I am only on chapter 9

Which scene was your favorite?

many different scenes get to you. Maggie getting a drink out of the big water bowl in the bathroom. Maggie protecting her Marine handler in chapter 1 had me in tears on the fwy.Our hero eating his first dinner with Maggie on the floor with her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I am listening this first day I could download it

Any additional comments?

get any of Crais books read by James Daniels and David Stuart. I was most surprised by this reader MacLeod. He is just terrific and now joins the ranks of James Daniels. Luke Daniels did not do a good job on the last two of Crais books. Joe Pike story missed it when Luke read it. Get the Watchman. I own all of audio Crais. I hope you enjoy as muchas I have.

This was my first experience with this author and I was going to pass it up until I read it was about a dog. What can I say . . . a great read! I was so hooked I got to bed too late then was almost late to see my client. I will most certainly check out more of his books (along with telling all of my dog friends about it).

Robert Crais is as reliable as a writer can be and more. This book is a great example. It's as enjoyable as all of his books AND it takes me on a new and unexpected adventure. If I had read a sloppy summary of this book I don't know if I would have picked it up, but Crais grabbed me immediately and never lost me. Lots of writers have given a bad reputation to books that have a dog in a central role. While I love Jack London's dog books and would compare Crais' sensitive handling of the dog's narrative to London, this is a human's story. Maggie, a retired military dog, is the companion that catalyzes our hero's actions.Put yourself in Crais' hands. Don't be afraid of the dog.

STORY - I loved this book. There is so much going on -- it is a very good police procedural, a heartwarming dog story and also provides a glimpse into the training and lives of police dogs and their handlers. The story will draw you in immediately and won't let you go till the end. You will love the way Maggie (dog) and Scott meet, train and the way their relationship grows and heals their emotional wounds. You will enjoy the insight into Maggie's thinking. And all this is going on during a police investigation into a very interesting crime!

FOR DOG LOVERS WHO DON'T LIKE SAD BOOKS (SLIGHT SPOILER): If you're like me, you don't listen to dog books because you're afraid they'll be sad. The worst part of this book occurs briefly in approximately the first ten minutes. It's sad, but the author just covers what happens because it's important to the story and he doesn't draw it out unnecessarily. The rest of the book is great and MORE than makes up for the sadness in the beginning.

NARRATOR - Really good job. (Thought about rating the performance a 5 and don't really know why I didn't).

OVERALL - I can't imagine anyone not loving this book (except maybe children because of some violence and inappropriate language). Highly recommended.

Retired CFO, Army wife, Mom of five, Grandma of six, two sons who served in combat, love to read books that reflect my values and faith, love mysteries, historical, military stories, and books that don't waste my time . . . if it doesn't have an ending that was worth the wait, I'm not a happy camper.

Absolutely gripping from the start . . . the scene in Afghanistan with Maggie and Pete . . . it tore at me like a saw into raw meat . . . Then as the story continued in LA when Maggie was donated to the police department and began working with Scott, the two wounded warriors began a journey that I couldn't stop listening to . . . both struggling against deep physical and emotional injuries so devastating that most folks have given up on them. As they team up together though, dog and police officer, you can't help but start rooting for them. There's a lot of mystery and suspense, and the deck is stacked against Scott and Maggie. This is a great listen!

This wasn't such an intense thriller as one would expect from Robert Crais, and at the beginning I was a bit disappointed at the 'googey-goo' speak directed at the Maggie, the dog. However, I got used to it , and accepted the reasoning behind it.

The story is really about the relationship between a police dog and her handler, but with a lot more complexities than that statement offers. The story was good, though as I suggest - not as intense or involved as one would normally expect. The characters were brilliant, and I really cared about their well being and how they solved the crime. An excellent read

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Sandra

United Kingdom

6/10/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another facet of Mr.Crais' storytelling."

A wonderful, vivid book that brought me frequently to almost-tears!After the fabulous Elvis Cole and Joe Pike books, I did not see this one coming.What next?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Robin B

Hampshire, England

4/21/13

Overall

"Newest Robert Crais thriller - Suspect""

I really enjoyed every minute of this crime thriller in which Maggie - a German Shepherd and former (injured) war-dog became a police dog with the LAPD and has a starring role in helping her handler Scott James in solving a serious crime. Story is narrated in part by Maggie as well as by Scott James - so unusually you hear the dog's side of this riveting story. I listened to it over a couple of days in every spare moment that I had. Robert Crais goes from strength to strength with his story-telling. This is one of his best yet

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A

BROXBURN, United Kingdom

2/19/13

Overall

"Brilliant Read"

Having been a fan of Robert Crais for as long as he has been writing, ordered this without a thought. Loved it from beginning to end. Scott James jumps of the page as a wounded but determined hero and his relationship with Maggie takes over the book. There is a good story at the back but the two main characters just capture your heart. Want more of these characters from Mr Crais and I think that says it all.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

CathyR

Ilminster, United Kingdom

2/11/13

Overall

"Robert Crais rocks!"

This is one of the best stories, it was a very emotional roller coaster of a book not least because I love dogs and had GSDs for 25+ years. I loved Scott and Maggie and the interaction between them, the building of trust and love after the traumas they both suffered. Mr Crais has a wonderful insight into the relationship between dogs and humans.

And the murder/mystery plot has everything to keep the listener enthralled. Can't recommend this enough!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Theo

Billingham, United Kingdom

2/11/13

Overall

"Solid Crais"

While anticipating the return of either Elvis Cole or Joe Pike, I happily downloaded the latest RC novel. Being a canine enthusiast, I did't find it hard to get caught by the story quickly. The vivid narration by MacLeod Andrews further helped to draw me in and I did only miss the familar and brilliant Robert Williams very little. The relatively short running time of 8,5 hrs makes the audiobook an enjoyable but all too quickly passing listen. All in all a nice plot albeit perhaps a bit predictable but then you won't download a crime book expecting James Joyce. Maybe not the best Crais ever but certainly worth the money and nice touch to have the "dog-angle" in the story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mrs. S. Mccarra

Scotland

9/26/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"There has to be more Scott & Maggie"

Excellent story line. Love the build up of the dog/handler relationship. We must get more of this duo. In fact I want one NOW!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ant

St Albans, United Kingdom

9/20/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A quick, enjoyable read for dog lovers"

I am not a massive fan of action / crime novels, but I was highly recommended this book as a dog lover. I found the story to be enjoyable, but nothing special, the writing solid and easy going. In my mind, what separated this from any other well written, but run of the mill novel, was the dog. The telling of the tale partly from the dog's perspective was well done without the usual anthropomorphic view of animals as simply less intelligent humans. For me the dog was the hero of the story while the human character was the protagonist; this pairing worked rather well to produce an action story in which one emotionally invested in the characters and their relationship.The narrator gave a solid performance with some good characterisation. I enjoyed this, but I doubt I will pick up anything else by the same author, however, I know others (fans of the genre) who have become fans of Crais from reading this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fiona

High Wycombe, United Kingdom

7/30/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Bit sappy but I liked it - I love dogs."

Would you listen to Suspect again? Why?

Possibly.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I suppose the dog bits were a bit sappy - but I didn't mind so much because I love dogs.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the dog thinks her previous master has returned. And realises he hasn't.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Christopher

Leicester, United Kingdom

4/29/13

Overall

"What an amazing book.... loved every second of it"

I have been a fan of RC for a while now and I really like everything that he does.

Suspect blew me away... I bought it to listen to in the car as I travel to see clients.. it cost me a days work, I couldn't switch it off.

Very Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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